America, the Dream

Rollo Dilworth Choral Series Octavo

Rollo Dilworth created “America, the Dream” as a celebration of singing for racial and social justice this powerful work sets the 11th stanza of the Langston Hughes poem “Freedom’s Plow.” Opening with a quote from “America (My Country, ‘Tis of Thee),” the listener is reminded of one of America’s most important ideals – freedom. This work serves as a prequel to Rollo Dilworth’s 2009 setting of the poem’s 12th and final stanza, also entitled “Freedom’s Plow” (00114463). The two pieces can be performed separately or as a set.

A Little About The Impressive Rollow Dillworth

• Rollo Dilworth worked as the director of music education and choral programs at North Park University in Chicago, Illinois, for 13 years, from 1996 to 2009.
• In 1998, both Colla Voce and Hal Leonard approached Dilworth and offered him publishing contracts for his music compositions.
• Since then, Dilworth has had more than 150 of his musical works published.
• In 2003, Dilworth received the Zenos Hawkinson Award for Teaching Excellence and Campus Leadership from North Park University.
• After leaving North Park University in 2009, Dilworth joined Temple University in Pennsylvania as a professor of music. He currently serves as the chair of the Music Education and Music Therapy department.
• In 2017, he received the Temple University Faculty Award for Research and Creative Achievement in recognition of his contributions to music research and creativity.
• Dilworth has become actively involved in the national and international music communities through his compositions and educational work.
• To celebrate the 100th birthday of composer Leonard Bernstein, Nolan Williams, Jr. commissioned four Philadelphia composers, including Dilworth, to rework Bernstein’s Mass. Their task was to create a new version that reflects their own faith or crisis of faith.
• The new composition premiered at Philadelphia’s Monumental Baptist Church in August 2018.